The American Mosaic's introduction makes clear that America's origin is anything but consistent. Although Sowell does not use the term "melting pot," his descriptions of what America has become epitomizes this. With a current population of over 300 million people, America has no majority or minority group. Rarely do family lines originate in solely America.
Each ethnic group in America is affected by the same factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, region, discrimination, age, time of arrival, and specialties/skills. Despite preconceived notions that early Americans believed about new immigrants, all ethnic groups have proved that despite different starting points in America, everyone is capable of fulfillment. Sowell names Jewish and Japanese citizens as an example. Upon arrival they started at the bottom of the workforce, but now both are some of the most successful ethnic groups in America. America is infamous for providing the ordinary man what was unviable to him anywhere else.
Time and location are two factors Sowell focuses on heavily. There are more differences between two people of the same ethnic group living in two different locations or time periods than two people of completely different races or ethnic groups. The difference in location even between the north and the south can affect a family's IQ, financial stability, and size.
While discrimination is an undeniable part of America's history, Sowell notes that although it is still prevalent in certain circumstances, it dissipates (or at least lessens) faster than other places worldwide. Ethnic groups who were once denounced now prevail heavily were they were once not allowed. Each group has strengths, cultures, and ideas that merge to form a grand, perpetual melting pot.
Despite the hardships and problems faced by ethnic communities in the early to mid 1900's, their strengths and talent were evident through each group's rich theatre performances. Ethnic theatre came to be renowned in the individual communities they were performed in and elsewhere. They took pride in starring in them, watching them, and directing them. Whether in an ethnic theatre or not, all theatre goers can agree in some way with this Jewish immigrant that describes the reason why he is there: "I do not go to the theatre to think, but to forget."
Problems did arise occasionally. Expenses were high. Fights broke out. Opposition was inevitable. Yet, the show must go on, and it did! Ethnic theatre provided a way for immigrants to express and practice their culture on a regular basis. This, in turn, created a strong community. Whether in the play or being in the audience, people preferred spending their leisure hours in the theatre after a hard day of labor. Of course ethnic theatres served as an outlet for entertainment, but they also had educational and political agendas as well. Satire depicted the social problems and corruption faced by the actors and the audience. Despite their strong beginning, there was a decline in ethnic performances prior to World War II's and beyond. Although the Civil Right's Movement sparked ethnic pride across America and caused the resurgence.Today, ethnic theatre performances are highly esteemed.
One of the greatest opportunities that ethnic theaters provided actors and actresses was the ability to be a character outside of a stereotype. Thankfully now this is not completely the case. Yet, designating certain roles for certain ethnic groups/ races still occurs today quite frequently. Thankfully, ethnic theatre still thrives and is still an incredible cultural activity that deserves to be witnessed by all.
Each ethnic group in America is affected by the same factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, region, discrimination, age, time of arrival, and specialties/skills. Despite preconceived notions that early Americans believed about new immigrants, all ethnic groups have proved that despite different starting points in America, everyone is capable of fulfillment. Sowell names Jewish and Japanese citizens as an example. Upon arrival they started at the bottom of the workforce, but now both are some of the most successful ethnic groups in America. America is infamous for providing the ordinary man what was unviable to him anywhere else.
Time and location are two factors Sowell focuses on heavily. There are more differences between two people of the same ethnic group living in two different locations or time periods than two people of completely different races or ethnic groups. The difference in location even between the north and the south can affect a family's IQ, financial stability, and size.
While discrimination is an undeniable part of America's history, Sowell notes that although it is still prevalent in certain circumstances, it dissipates (or at least lessens) faster than other places worldwide. Ethnic groups who were once denounced now prevail heavily were they were once not allowed. Each group has strengths, cultures, and ideas that merge to form a grand, perpetual melting pot.
Despite the hardships and problems faced by ethnic communities in the early to mid 1900's, their strengths and talent were evident through each group's rich theatre performances. Ethnic theatre came to be renowned in the individual communities they were performed in and elsewhere. They took pride in starring in them, watching them, and directing them. Whether in an ethnic theatre or not, all theatre goers can agree in some way with this Jewish immigrant that describes the reason why he is there: "I do not go to the theatre to think, but to forget."
Problems did arise occasionally. Expenses were high. Fights broke out. Opposition was inevitable. Yet, the show must go on, and it did! Ethnic theatre provided a way for immigrants to express and practice their culture on a regular basis. This, in turn, created a strong community. Whether in the play or being in the audience, people preferred spending their leisure hours in the theatre after a hard day of labor. Of course ethnic theatres served as an outlet for entertainment, but they also had educational and political agendas as well. Satire depicted the social problems and corruption faced by the actors and the audience. Despite their strong beginning, there was a decline in ethnic performances prior to World War II's and beyond. Although the Civil Right's Movement sparked ethnic pride across America and caused the resurgence.Today, ethnic theatre performances are highly esteemed.
One of the greatest opportunities that ethnic theaters provided actors and actresses was the ability to be a character outside of a stereotype. Thankfully now this is not completely the case. Yet, designating certain roles for certain ethnic groups/ races still occurs today quite frequently. Thankfully, ethnic theatre still thrives and is still an incredible cultural activity that deserves to be witnessed by all.